Process for producing holographic material

ABSTRACT

Processes for producing a holographic material involve producing the holographic image on a polished, substantially smooth surface and then transferring the holographic image to a substrate. A metallic coating is applied to a smooth surface of a printing element to provide a coated surface, the coated surface is embossed to provide the holographic image, and the holographic image is transferred to a substrate via a bonding material, thereby producing the holographic material. The holographic material may be used to provide a decorative cover for an object or item, such as a floral grouping or a potted plant.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/372,526 filed Aug. 11,1999.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to processes for producingdecorative material, and more particularly, but not by way oflimitation, to processes for producing holographic material.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Processes for producing holographic materials are well known in the art.One process involves passing a layer of plastic, for example, through amachine which imparts an image within the covering or upper strata ofthe plastic layer. A powdered metallic constituent or component (e.g.aluminum) is then applied thereon by a metalizing process. Aftermetalizing, a holographic or 3-dimensional image is imparted on themetalized layer of plastic. This image is extremely pleasing and iswidely used within the credit card and security industries since theresulting image is difficult to duplicate and thus assists in theprevention of fraud by counterfeiting, for example. However, imagesproduced by this process can be quite expensive since the machinesrequired for production of the images are complicated and costly in andof themselves. Additionally, holographic images produced by this processare usually small in size, and larger holographic images cannot beimprinted by this process. Thus, this process of producing holographicimages has not been widely used outside of the credit card and noveltyindustry.

A process for producing large sheets of holographic material at a lowercost than the process described above involves producing the holographicimage laminated to a polymeric support, contacting the holographic imageon the polymeric support to a substrate such as tissue paper or foil viaan adhesive, and delaminating the polymeric support, therebytransferring the holographic image from the polymeric support to thetissue paper or foil substrate. The image cannot be directly applied toa substrate having a rough surface because the rough surface of thesubstrate will refract light and will not have a highly reflectivefinish, thereby disrupting the holographic image.

Therefore, new and improved methods for producing holographic materialrequiring less time and expense are being sought. It is to such aprocess for producing holographic material that the present invention isdirected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, processes for producing holographicmaterial are provided which avoid the disadvantages and defects of theprior art, making the processes more economically feasible. Broadly,processes are provided for transferring holographic images to asubstrate to produce a holographic material. These processes involveproducing the holographic image on a polished, substantially smoothsurface and then transferring the holographic image to a substrate,thereby bypassing the need for the polymeric support used in the priorart.

In one aspect of the present invention, a printing element having apolished, substantially smooth surface is provided, and a metalliccoating is applied to the smooth surface of the printing element toprovide a coated surface. The coated surface is embossed to provide theholographic image on the coating, and the holographic image is thentransferred to a substrate, thereby producing a holographic material.

In another aspect of the present invention, a non-metallic coating maybe applied to the smooth surface of the printing element to provide acoated surface, which is then embossed to provide an image. The embossedcoated surface is then metalized to provide a holographic image on thecoating, and the holographic image is transferred to a substrate toproduce the holographic material.

The production of holographic materials in accordance with the presentinvention may be performed as a continuous process or as a batchprocess. Applications of the holographic materials produced inaccordance with the present invention include wrapping a floral groupingand providing a decorative cover for an object such as a flower pot or apotted plant, as well as decorative wrappings for various food and giftitems.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved processes forproducing holographic materials.

Another object of the present invention, while achieving thebefore-stated object, is to provide processes for producing holographicmaterials which do not suffer from the disadvantages of the prior artprocesses.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a holographic materialproduced by a continuous process in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a partial schematic representation of a continuous process forproducing holographic material utilizing a cylindrical drum.

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic representation of another continuousprocess for producing holographic material utilizing a cylindrical drum.

FIG. 4 is a side plan view illustrating a holographic material producedby a batch process in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a flat plate used to produceholographic materials in accordance with the present invention, the flatplate having a coating disposed on a surface thereof.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of the flat plate with a coatedsurface of FIG. 5 and an embossing plate for embossing the coatedsurface of the flat plate to provide an embossed coated surface with aholographic image thereon.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of the flat plate of FIG. 6having an embossed coated surface and a holographic image thereon, theembossed coated surface of the flat plate having an adhesive appliedthereto.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of the flat plate of FIG. 7having an embossed coated surface with a holographic image thereon andan adhesive applied thereto, the adhesive bondingly connecting theembossed coated surface to a substrate to produce a holographic materialconstructed from the coating containing a holographic image and thesubstrate.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a floral grouping wrapped witha sheet of holographic material constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a decorative pot cover formedfrom a holographic material constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the decorative pot cover ofFIG. 10 wherein the pre-formed pot cover has a potted plant disposedtherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, shown in FIG. 1 and designated therein bythe reference numeral 10 is a holographic material constructed inaccordance with the present invention by a continuous process. Theholographic material 10 comprises a substrate 12 having a holographicdesign or image 14 formed thereon. The holographic image 14 provides theholographic material 10 with a holographic or 3-dimensional appearance.

The term “holographic image” as used herein is to be understood to meana three-dimensional image most visible from an oblique angle. The uniqueproperties of holographic images are that they appear to float in space,are true-to-life and can change perspective, that is, permit one to lookaround corners and watch hidden features of the image come to light.

Further, the “holographic image” can be in any geometric form, or anycombination of geometric forms, for example, squares, round spots,triangles, rectangles, octagonals, or the like, or any non-geometric,asymmetrical or fanciful forms, or any combination thereof, for example,but not by way of limitation, hearts, balloons, flowers, lace, slogans,logos, print (any combination of letters and/or numbers), signs, humanforms (real and fictional), animal forms (real and fictional), cartooncharacters, and/or plant forms. Such holographic images may include acolor, or a portion of a color, or a combination of colors and designs.Alternatively, at least a portion of the holographic image may becolorless, translucent, transparent, opaque, pearlescent, iridescent, orthe like.

The term “substrate” when used herein means a sheet of material whichprovides stability to the holographic image 14. The substrate 12 of theholographic material 10 may be flexible or non-flexible. The substrate12 can be constructed of any suitable material capable of receiving aholographic image, such as polymeric film, non-polymeric film, foil,paper, tissue and combinations thereof. The substrate 12 includes asurface 16 which may be substantially rough and textured orsubstantially smooth. For example, tissue paper, kraft paper and highdensity polyethylene film often have rough surfaces, while foil andchromecoat paper typically have smooth surfaces.

The thickness of the substrate 12 can vary widely. Generally, however,the substrate 12 has a thickness in a range from about 0.0002 mil toabout 30 mils, and more desirably from about 0.1 mil to about 20 mils.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a continuous process 17 for producingthe holographic material 10 is schematically illustrated. As will bemore fully described hereinafte, the holographic material 10 is producedusing a printing element 18. The printing element 18 may be providedwith a smooth surface or a rough surface. When the printing element 18is provided with a smooth surface, the need to produce the holographicimage on a substrate having a smooth surface, such as required by theprior art methods, is substantially eliminated.

The term “printing element” as used herein means any element having asurface capable of having a holographic image produced thereon wherebythe holographic image can be transferred to a substrate withoutsubstantially distorting the holographic image. Thus, the printingelement 18 for producing the holographic material 10 by a continuousprocess 17 may be, for example, but not limited to, a cylindrical drum,a roller and the like. The printing element 18 may be constructed of anysuitable material capable of having a polished, substantially smoothsurface and which is capable of having the holographic image formedthereon for transfer to a desired substrate. The printing element 18 maybe constructed of chrome, stainless steel, tool steel and the like. Theprinting element 18 may also be constructed in part of a resilient ornon-resilient material such that the printing element 18 is providedwith a resilient or non-resilient surface.

The printing element 18 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a cylindricaldrum 20 having a smooth surface 22. The cylindrical drum 20 permits theholographic material 10 to be continuously produced. A coating 30capable of receiving a holographic image is applied to the smoothsurface 22 of the cylindrical drum 20 by a coating assembly 32, therebyproviding a coated surface 34 of the cylindrical drum 20. The coatingassembly 32 is illustrated as comprising a coating pan 36 and a reversegravure doctor blade 38. The thickness of the coating 30 on the coatedsurface 34 of the cylindrical drum 20 can be controlled and maintainedwithin preselected limits by the reverse gravure doctor blade 38 of thecoating assembly 32.

It will be understood that other methods of applying the coating 30 tothe smooth surface 22 of the cylindrical drum 20 may be employed, suchas spraying, brushing, etc.

The term “coating” as used herein is to be understood to mean a maleablefilm which is able to be embossed to receive a holographic image on atleast a portion thereof. For example, the coating 30 may be a metallicmaterial such as metallic polymeric film, metallic non-polymeric film,foil, metalized lacquer and combinations thereof. The coating 30 mayalso be a nonmetallic material such as polymeric film, non-polymericfilm, foil, lacquer and combinations thereof. Wherein the coating 30 isa nonmetallic material, the process for producing the holographicmaterial 10 in accordance with the present invention includes anadditional step of metalizing the coated surface 34 of the cylindricaldrum 20, which will be described in detail below.

The term “lacquer” as used herein means a coating substance consistingof resinous materials, such as cellulose esters, cellulose ethers,shellac, gum, alkyd resins and the like, which are dissolved in asolvent that evaporates rapidly on application such as ethyl alcohol,thereby leaving a tough, adherent film. Lacquers which are useful in thepresent invention are mixtures, such as, but not limited to, lacquersproduced by mixing styrene-acrylic emulsions, such as Lucidene 603 andLucidene 395 (Morton International, Inc., 100 North Riverside Plaza,Chicago, Ill. 60606) with a non-ionic surfactant, such as Surfynol 465(Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., 7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown,Pa. 18195-1501) and arnmonia (G.S. Robbins and Company, 126 ChouteauAvenue, St. Louis, Mo. 63102). The lacquer produced as described abovemay also contain a wax emulsion in water, such as Liquitron 440 (CarrolScientific, Inc., 5401 S. Dansher Road, Countryside, Ill. 60525).

The coated surface 34 of the cylindrical drum 20 is then embossed by anembossing element 40, such as an embossing drum 42. Embossing elementsare used to produce materials to decorate or cover articles bydepressing, carving, raising, or printing designs, patterns, etc. sothat at least a portion of the design, pattern, etc. is raised above thesurface of the material. Embossing elements are well known in the art;thus, no further discussion of embossing methods need be required.

Embossing of the coated surface 34 of the cylindrical drum 20 produces aholographic image 14 on the coated surface 34 of the cylindrical drum20. The holographic image 14 is provided with a first surface 44 and asecond surface 46 which is substantially adjacent the smooth surface 22of the cylindrical drum 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, if the coating 30 used to provide the coated surface34 of the cylindrical drum 20 is formed of a non-metallic material, ametallic constituent or component 48 is applied to the embossed coatedsurface 34 of the cylindrical drum 20 to provide the holographic image14. The metallic constituent or component 48 can be applied to theembossed coated surface 34 of the cylindrical drum 20 by any suitablemeans, such as by discharging the metallic constituent or component 48from a reservoir 50. Metallic constituents or components which may beemployed to metallize the embossed coated surface 34 of the cylindricaldrum 20 are known in the art and include powdered metals such aspowdered aluminum.

Once the holographic image has been produced, a bonding material 54 isapplied to the holographic image 14 by a bonding material applicator 56.The bonding material applicator 56 comprises a pan 58 and a reversegravure doctor blade 60 for removing excess bonding material 54 andcontrolling the thickness of the bonding material 54 so as to insure asubstantially uniform coating of bonding material 54 on the holographicimage 14 present on the cylindrical drum 20. The bonding material 54applied to the holographic image 14 is contacted with the substrate 12,thereby bondingly contacting the holographic image 14 to the substrate12 and producing the holographic material 10.

The term “bonding material” when used herein may be an adhesive, such asa pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive. Where the bonding materialis a cohesive, a similar cohesive material must be placed on theadjacent surface for bondingly contacting and bondingly engaging withthe cohesive material. The term “bonding material” may also be materialswhich are heat sealable and, in this instance, the adjacent portions ofthe materials must be brought into contact and then heat must be appliedto effect the seal. The term “bonding material” when used herein alsomeans a lacquer, which may be the coating 30 described above. In thisinstance, heat, sound waves, or vibrations may be applied to effect thesealing of the lacquer. In this way, the coating 30 may both receive theholographic image 14 and effect sealing of the holographic image 14 tothe substrate 12, thereby producing the holographic material 10.

To bondingly secure the holographic image 14 to the substrate 12 and totransfer the holographic image 14 from the smooth surface 22 of thecylindrical drum 20 to the substrate 12, various methods may beemployed. For example, heat and/or pressure may be applied to effect theseal between the holographic image 14 and the substrate 12. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, a nip formed by opposing rollers of the cylindrical drum20 and a seating drum 62 may sandwich the holographic image 14 and thesubstrate 12 to effect a seal between the substrate 12 and theholographic image 14. In addition, the sealing drum 62 may be a heatedroller to aid in effecting the seal between the holographic image 14 andthe substrate 12.

It will be understood that other methods of bondingly securing andsealing the holographic image 14 and the substrate 12 in the continuousprocess 17 of producing the holographic material 10 as described hereinmay be employed in this process, and is not limited to the methoddescribed herein.

The holographic material 10 is then removed from the smooth surface 22of the cylindrical drum 20. Methods of removing the holographic material10 from the cylindrical drum 20 are known in the art. The holographicmaterial 10 produced by the continuous process 17 may be present indifferent forms such as a roll or sheets of holographic material 10.

Shown in FIG. 4 is a holographic material 10 a constructed in accordancewith the present invention by a batch process 68. The holographicmaterial 10 a is similar to the holographic material 10 describedhereinbefore, and comprises a substrate 12 a having a holographic image14 a formed thereon. The batch process 68 for producing the holographicmaterial 10 a is illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 and described indetail hereinafter.

The holographic material 10 a is produced using a printing element 70.The printing element 70 may be provided with a smooth surface or a roughsurface. When the printing element 70 is provided with a smooth surface,the need to produce the holographic image on a substrate having a smoothsurface, such as required by the prior art methods, is substantiallyeliminated. The printing element 70 for producing the holographicmaterial 10 a by the batch process 68 may be a plate, a platen press andthe like. The printing element 70 may be constructed of any suitablematerial capable of having a polished, substantially smooth surface andwhich is capable of having the holographic image formed thereon fortransfer to a desired substrate. The printing element 70 may beconstructed of chrome, stainless steel, tool steel and the like. Theprinting element 70 may also be constructed in part of a resilient ornon-resilient material such that the printing element 70 is providedwith a resilient or non-resilient surface.

The printing element 70 illustrated in FIG. 5 is a flat plate 72 havinga smooth surface 74, the flat plate 72 permitting the holographicmaterial 10 a to be produced in the batch process 68. A coating 30 a,which is substantially identical to the coating 30 as describedhereinbefore, is applied to the smooth surface 74 of the flat plate 72by a coating assembly 76, thereby providing a coated surface 78 of theflat plate 72. The coating assembly 76 is illustrated as a coating brush80. However, it should be understood that other methods of applying thecoating 30 a to the smooth surface 74 of the flat plate 72 may beemployed, such as spraying, dipping, and the like.

The coated surface 78 of the flat plate 72 is then embossed by anembossing element 82, such as an embossing plate 84 shown in FIG. 6.Embossing of the coated surface 78 of the flat plate 72 provides aholographic image 14 a on the coated surface 78 of the flat plate 72.The holographic image 14 a is provided with a first surface 44 a and asecond surface 46a which is substantially adjacent the smooth surface 74of the flat plate 72.

If the coating 30 a used to provide the coated surface 78 of the flatplate 72 is formed of a non-metallic material, a metallic constituent orcomponent is applied to the embossed coated surface 78 of the flat plate72 to provide the holographic image 14 a. This process is substantiallyidentical to the metalizing of the embossed coated surface 34 of thecylindrical drum 20 by a metalizing constituent or component 50 toprovide the holographic image 10 as described in detail above.

Once the holographic image 14 a has been produced, a bonding material 54a, which is substantially identical to the bonding material 54 asdescribed hereinbefore, is applied to the holographic image 14 a by abonding material applicator 86, as shown in FIG. 7. It will beunderstood that other methods of applying the bonding material 54 a tothe holographic image 14 a on the flat plate 72 may be employed, such asspraying, brushing, etc.

The bonding material 54 a applied to the holographic image 14 a iscontacted with the substrate 12 a, thereby bondingly connecting theholographic image 14 a to the substrate 12 a and producing theholographic material 10 a (FIG. 8).

To bondingly connect the holographic image 14 a to the substrate 12 aand to transfer the holographic image 14 a from the smooth surface 74 ofthe flat plate 72 to the substrate 12 a, various methods may beemployed. For example, heat and/or pressure may be applied to effect theseal between the substrate 12 a and the holographic image 14 a. As shownin FIG. 8, the holographic image 14 a and the substrate 12 a may besandwiched between the flat plate 72 and a sealing plate 88 to effect aseal between the substrate 12 a and the holographic image 14 a. Inaddition, the sealing plate 88 may be heated to aid in effecting theseal between the holographic image 14 a and the substrate 12 a.

It will be understood that other methods of bondingly connecting andsealing the holographic image 14 a and the substrate 12 a in the batchprocess 68 for producing the holographic material 10 a as describedherein may be employed.

The holographic material 10 a is then removed from the smooth surface 74of the flat plate 72. Methods of removing the holographic material 10 afrom the flat plate 72 are known in the art. The holographic material 10a produced by the batch process 68 may be present in different formssuch as a roll or sheets of holographic material 10 a.

For the sake of brevity, only the use of the holographic material 10 forproviding decorative covers for floral groupings such as cut flowers andpotted plants will be described hereinafter. However, it will beunderstood that the holographic material 10 a may be used in the samemanner.

The term “floral grouping” as used herein means cut fresh flowers,artificial flowers, a single flower as well as fresh and/or artificialplants or other floral materials, and such term includes other secondaryplants and/or ornamentation or artificial or natural materials which addto the aesthetics of the overall floral arrangement. The floral groupingmay comprise a bloom (or foliage) portion and a stem portion. However,it will be appreciated that the floral grouping may consist of only asingle bloom or only foliage. The term “floral grouping” may be usedinterchangeably herein with the terms “plant”, “flower” and/or “floralarrangement”. The term “floral grouping” may also be usedinterchangeably herein with the terms “botanical item” and/or“propagule”.

Theterm “botanical item” when used herein means a natural herbaceous orwoody plant, taken singly or in combination. The term “botanical item”also means any portion or portions of natural herbaceous or woodyplants, taken singly or in combination The term “botanical item” alsomeans any portion or portions of natural herbaceous or woody plantsincluding stems, leaves, flowers, blossoms, buds, blooms, cones, orroots, taken singly or in combination, or in groupings of such portionssuch as a bouquet or floral grouping.

The term “propagule” when used herein means any structure capable ofbeing propagated or acting as an agent of reproduction including seeds,shoots, stems, runners, tubers, plants, leaves, roots or spores.

The term “flower pot” refers to any type of container used for holding afloral grouping or a potted plant. Examples of flower pots are claypots, plastic pots, wooden pots, pots made from natural and/or syntheticfiber, and the like.

Shown in FIG. 9 is the holographic material 10 wrapped about a floralgrouping 90 wherein the floral grouping is cut flowers 90 a to provide adecorative cover 92. In this way, the holographic image 14 of theholographic material 10 is readily visible and provides a desiredoptical effect to the decorative cover 92. Thus, the holographic image14 constitutes at least a portion of the decor of the decorative cover92.

The holographic material 10 may also be used to provide a decorativecover 92 a for an object or item, such as the floral grouping 90 whereinthe floral grouping is a flower pot or a potted plant 90 b. Thedecorative cover 92 a illustrated in FIG. 10 is constructed from theholographic material 10, and the decorative covering 92 a illustrated inFIG. 11 has the potted plant 90 b disposed therein.

A flower pot 96 having an outer peripheral surface 98 and a floralgrouping retaining space 100 is provided, and the holographic material10 is formed about the outer peripheral surface 98 of the flower pot 96to provide the decorative cover 92 a. The potted plant 90 b is

then disposed in the floral grouping retaining space 100 of the flowerpot 94 provided in the decorative cover 92 a.

In another method of providing the decorative cover 92 a for the flowerpot 96, the holographic material 10 is provided and formed into thedecorative cover 92 a prior to disposing the flower pot 96 into thedecorative cover 92 a. The decorative cover 92 a formed in this mannerhas a plurality of overlapping folds which extend at various angles andat various instances. The decorative cover 92 a is also provided with anobject opening 102 which is formed through an upper end 104 of thedecorative cover 92 a. The object opening 102 is sized to receive theflower pot 96.

The system for forming the decorative cover 92 a by this method isdescribed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,182, entitled, “ArticleForming System”, issued Sep. 27, 1988, which is hereby expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

Once the decorative covering 92 is constructed, the flower pot 96 isdisposed in the object opening 102 of the decorative covering 92 so thatthe decorative covering 92 encompasses a substantial portion of theouter peripheral surface 98 of the flower pot 96 to provide thedecorative covering 92.

Now it will be understood that other applications of the holographicmaterials 10 and 10 a will become apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art and include, but not by way of limitation, decorative wrappingsfor various food and gift items. Thus, uses of the holographic materials10 and 10 a are not limited to those described herein.

From the above description, it is clear that the present invention iswell adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantagesmentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. Whilepresently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described forpurposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changesmay be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled inthe art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the inventiondisclosed and as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A continuous process for applying a holographicimage to a substrate to produce a holographic material, the processcomprising: providing a printing element having a polished, resilientsurface; applying a metalized coating capable of receiving a holographicimage to the polished, resilient surface of the printing element toprovide a metalized coated surface; embossing the metalized coatedsurface to provide a holographic image thereon, the holographic imagehaving a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surfaceof the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent thepolished, resilient surface of the printing element, the holographicimage further having a characteristic of being capable of producing athree-dimensional rendition of an object; applying a bonding material tothe first surface of the holographic image; and disposing a substratehaving a smooth surface adjacent the first surface of the holographicimage containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect theholographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographicmaterial and thus removing the holographic material from the polished,resilient surface of the printing element.
 2. The continuous process ofclaim 1 wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, theprinting element is selected from the group consisting of a cylindricaldrum and a roller.
 3. The continuous process of claim 1 wherein, in thestep of providing a printing element, the printing element isconstructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome,stainless steel and tool steel.
 4. The continuous process of claim 1wherein, in the step of applying a metalized coating, the metalizedcoating applied to the polished, resilient surface of the printingelement is selected from the group consisting of metallic polymericfilm, metallic non-polymeric film, foil, metalized lacquer andcombinations thereof.
 5. The continuous process of claim 1 wherein, inthe step of disposing a substrate, the substrate is constructed of amaterial selected from the group consisting of polymeric film,non-polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue and combinations thereof.
 6. Amethod for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising:providing a holographic material produced by applying a holographicimage to a substrate, the holographic image further having acharacteristic of producing a three-dimensional rendition of an object,the holographic material produced by a process comprising the steps of:providing a printing element having a polished, resilient surface, theprinting element being selected from the group consisting of acylindrical drum and a roller; applying a metalized coating capable ofreceiving a holographic image to the polished, resilient surface of theprinting element to provide a metalized coated surface; embossing themetalized coated surface to provide a holographic image thereon, theholographic image having a first surface and a second surface whereinthe second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantiallyadjacent the polished, resilient surface of the printing element;applying a bonding material to the first surface of the holographicimage; and disposing a substrate having a smooth surface adjacent thefirst surface of the holographic image containing the bonding materialso as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate,thereby producing a holographic material and thus removing theholographic material from the polished, resilient surface of theprinting element; forming the holographic material into a decorativecover having a plurality of overlapping folds therein wherein theoverlapping folds extend at various angles and at various instances, thedecorative cover having an object opening formed through an upper endthereof sized to receive a flower pot; providing a flower pot having anouter peripheral surface; and disposing the flower pot in the objectopening of the decorative cover with the decorative cover encompassing asubstantial portion of the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot.7. The method of claim 6 wherein, in the step of providing the printingelement, the printing element is constructed of a material selected fromthe group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.
 8. Themethod of claim 6 wherein, in the step of applying a metalized coating,the metalized coating applied to the polished, resilient surface of theprinting element is selected from the group consisting of metallicpolymeric film, metallic non-polymeric film, foil, metalized lacquer andcombinations thereof.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein, in the step ofdisposing a substrate, the substrate is constructed of a materialselected from the group consisting of polymeric film, non-polymericfilm, foil, paper, tissue and combinations thereof.
 10. A method forproviding a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising: providing aholographic material produced by applying a holographic image to asubstrate, the holographic image further having a characteristic ofproducing a three-dimensional rendition of an object, the holographicmaterial produced by a process comprising the steps of: providing aprinting element having a polished, resilient surface, the printingelement being selected from the group consisting of a flat plate and aplaten press; applying a metalized coating capable of receiving aholographic image to the polished, resilient surface of the printingelement to provide a metalized coated surface; embossing the metalizedcoated surface to provide a holographic image thereon, the holographicimage having a first surface and a second surface wherein the secondsurface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent thepolished, resilient surface of the printing element; applying a bondingmaterial to the first surface of the holographic image; and disposing asubstrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containingthe bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image tothe substrate, thereby producing a holographic material and thusremoving the holographic material from the polished, resilient surfaceof the printing element; forming the holographic material into adecorative cover having a plurality of overlapping folds therein whereinthe overlapping folds extend at various angles and at various instances,the decorative cover having an object opening formed through an upperend thereof sized to receive a flower pot; providing a flower pot havingan outer peripheral surface; and disposing the flower pot in the objectopening of the decorative cover with the decorative cover encompassing asubstantial portion of the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot.11. The method of claim 10 wherein, in the step of providing theprinting element, the printing element is constructed of a materialselected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and toolsteel.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein, in the step of applying ametalized coating, the metalized coating applied to the polished,resilient surface of the printing element is selected from the groupconsisting of metallic polymeric film, metallic non-polymeric film,foil, metalized lacquer and combinations thereof.
 13. The method ofclaim 10 wherein, in the step of disposing a substrate, the substrate isconstructed of a material selected from the group consisting ofpolymeric film, non-polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue and combinationsthereof.